Adjustably compartmented case



n- 1964 .w. J; wALsTA'D ETAL 3,117,638

ADJUSJTABLY COMPARTMENTED CASE Filed Aug. 27, .1962 2 Sheets-SheetiINVENTORS W ROY R. HAMD! ATTORN EY 1964 w. J. WALSTAD ETAL 3,

ADJUSTABLY COMPARTMENTED CASE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 27, 1962INVENTORS WALTER J. WALSTA ROY R. HAMADY ATI'ORNE United States PatentC) 3,117,688 ADEUSTABLY CQMPARTMENTED CASE Walter J. Walstad, 821 W. 2ndSt, and Roy R. Haniady, 1715 Detroit Sn, both of Flint, Mich. Filed Aug.27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,571 Claims. (Cl. 2177) This invention relates toadjustably compartmented cases and more particularly to an adjustablecase having four compartments adaptable into either of two alternativecross-sectional sizes.

Conventional cases for the transport and storage of bottles, such asbottles of Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, or the like, are frequently fashionedfrom wooden boxes divided into four compartments of identical fixedlength and width by a pair of interior dividing walls rigidly connectedbetween the midpoints of each opposing pair of the sides of saidcontainer, respectively, and intersecting each other at a right angle.Each of the rectangular compartments thus formed is of such length andwidth as to snugly receive a conventional cardboard package, or carton,often called a six pack, containing six beverage bottles each of aparticular uniform greatest diameter. Such a case, if adapted to snuglyreceive in each compartment a carton containing six bottles of onediameter, will but loosely receive in each such compartment a cartonadapted to contain six bottles of small diameter. Conversely, such aconventional case adapted to snug receive in each compartment a cartoncontaining six bottles of smaller diameter will be utterly unable toreceive a carton adapted to contain six bottles of larger diameter.

Further, manufacturers of beverages sometimes bottle their beverageproduct in bottles which, though of a con ventional luid capacity suchas six, eight, or twelve ounces, have a unique configuration andgreatest diameter. In practice, merchants are accordingly frequentlyobliged to store and transport bottles of a particular brand, capacity,and configuration, or cartons containing six such bottles, only in casesspecially adapted to receive such, which cases frequently will notsatisfactorily receive bottles, or cartons of six thereof, of any otherbrand, capacity, or configuration. Thus a retail merchant may have onhand a number of empty cases adapted to receive 24 six-ounce bottles of,say, Coca-Cola, and he also may have on hand a number of empty twelveounce bottles of, say, Pepsi-Cola, but such empty cases will notproperly receive 24 of such twelve-ounce bottles. Conversely, he mayhave on hand a number of empty cases adapted to receive 24 twelve-ouncebottles of, say, Pepsi-Cola, and he may also have on hand a number ofempty six-ounce bottles of, say, Coca-Cola, but if he places said emptybottles in such cases, they will fit but loosely, will rattle duringtransport, and will be susceptible to breakage. Even when bottles areplaced within such cases Without a surrounding cardboard carton for eachhalf dozen thereof, as is often the case with returned empty beveragebottles, the same general problem maintains: it is impossible to place24 bottles of greater diameter into a case adapted to receive 24 bottlesof lesser diameter, and when 24 bottles of esser diameter are placed ina case adapted to receive 24 bottles of greater diameter they arereceived so loosely that they rattle and are susceptible to breakagebecause of the excess space within the case and between the bottles.

Accordin ly, an object of the invention is to provide means for dividingthe interior of a case into four compartments each having firstcrosssectional dimensions and, alternatively, into four compartmentseach having second cross-sectional dimensions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide "ice an improvedcompartmented case adapted to receive a plurality of bottles havingeither of two uniform diameters.

These, together with various auxiliary features and objects of theinvention which will later become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodimentof which has been illustrated, by way of example only, in theaccompanying drawing, forming a part of this specil cation, in whichlike characters are employed to designate like parts throughout thesame, and wherein:

FiGURE 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable case arranged to receivea plurality of bottles each having an identical, larger diameter.

FIGURE 2A is a sectional view taken along line 2-2- of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 23 is a sectional View taken as along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 butshowing the upper cross member in elevated position.

FIGURE 2C is a sectional view taken as along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1 butshowing the upper and lower cross members in horizontal position and theupper cross member elevated.

FIGURE 2D is a sectional view taken as along line 22 of FIG RE 1 butshowing the upper and lower cross members in a horizontal position andthe upper cross member resting atop the lower cross member.

FIGURE 3A is a sectional View taken along line 33 of FIGURE FIGURE 35 isa sectional view 3-3 of FlGURE l but showing the in elevated position.

FIGURE 3C is a sectional View taken as along line 33 of FIGURE 1 butshowing the upper and lower cross members in horizontal position and theupper cross member elevated.

FIGURE 3D is a sectional view taken as along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1 butshowing the upper and lower cross members in horizontal position and theupper cross member resting atop the lower cross member.

A IGURE 4 is a perspective view of an adjustable case arranged toreceive an equal plurality of bottles each having an identical, smallerdiameter.

FIGURE 5 is a partial view of the pivotal connection of one end of alower cross member and an end or" an ad ustabl'e case, showing springmeans adapted to yiel ingly urge said cross member in a direction awayfrom said end of said case.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of an end plate having a +-shaped recesstherein adapted to receive the other end of a lower cross member.

FIGURE 7 is a partial view of a modified form of pivotal connection ofone end of a lower cross member and an end of an adjustable case.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view taken along line S- of FEGURE 7.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, generally indicated at1% is a rectangular receptacle or case preferably fashioned of wood andhaving a bottom 12, a pair of spaced, parallel sides i i, 14, and a pairof parallel ends 16, 16 of shorter length than said sides, secure-dtogether by conventional means, such as screws, nails, or the like (notshown). A pair of slots l8, i8 is formed in ends 16, 15 to provide meansfor manually gripping the case.

An elongated wooden lower cross member 26 of rectangular cross-sectionis pivotally supported upon its longitudinal axis between ends 19, illby a pair of round headed screws 22, 22 extending through a pair ofwashtaken as along line upper cross member vers 2.4, 24 and a pair ofholes 26, 25 in said ends, and

threadably engaged, respectively, within opposite ends 3 of said lowercross member. Member 29 is thus adapted for rotation about itslongitudinal axis.

A coiled compression spring 28 is disposed surrounding the shank of oneof said screws 22 and intermediate one end of member 2%) and theadjacent end 16 of case it} which supports same, to yieldingly urge saidmember axially in a direction away from said end. In the modificationshown in FIGURES 7 and 8, a counterbore 27 coaxial with screw 28 isprovided in the inner surface of that end 19 of case it? which abuts oneend of spring 28, the diameter of the counterbore being such as toreceive and support the proximate end of member 2% rotatably therein.The sidewalls of counterbore 27 in this modification together with screw22 extending through the center thereof provide three points ofcontinual support for the end of member 2i? received within thecounterbore.

A metal or plastic end plate 3t? having a +-shaped recess, generally inicated at 32, therein is connected as by a plurality of flat head screws3% to the inner surface of the opposing end lo. An aperture 33 in thecenter of plate E l? surrounds the shank of the other or said screws 22.Recess 32 is arranged to receive the opposite end of member it? wit inits horizontal arms when said member is arranged with its broadercross-sectional dimension disposed horizontally, and to receive said endWithin the vertical arms of said recess when said member is arrangedwith its broader cross-sectional dimension disposed vertically. Ifdesired, plate 38 may be recessed into said opposing end 15 a sufiicientdepth so that the shoulders of such recess provide support for saidopposite end of member 2t additional to the support provided by saidother of said screws 22. A rectangular notch 36 is formed in the edge ofone of the narrower sides of member 2%, at a point located along thelength thereof such as to be midway between ends l6, 15 when saidopposite end of member 29 is received Within recess 32, for a purposemore particularly hereinafter described.

An elongated, wooden upper cross member 38 of rectangular cross-sectionis also provided and is pivotally connected upon its longitudinal axisbetween sides 14, 3.4 by a pair of round headed screws 4 46 extendingthrough a pair of washers 42,, 5-... and a pair of vertical slots 44, 44formed in said sides normal to the plane of bottom 12 and midway betweenends 16, 16, said screws being threadably engaged, respectively, withinopposite ends of member A rectangular notch 46 is formed in the edge ofone of the narrower sides of member 38 midway along the length thereof,for engagement with notch 36 for a purpose more particularl hereinafterdescribed.

It will be noted that, while member Zai is adapted for translation alongits longitudinal axis, member 3% is adapted for translation within avertical plane, pendicular to bottom 12, within the limits imposed bythe upper and lower ends of slots 44, Slots 4%, 44 are formed or" suchlengths, and are so positioned vertically, that when member 3% iselevated to the upper limit imposed by said slots and is disposed withits broader cross-sectional dimension arranged vertically, it will clearthe top of member 2% when member 245 is also disposed with its broadercross sectional dimension arranged vertically, as best shown in FIGURES2B and 3B. Vfhen member 3% is then dropped vertically downward, fromsuch position, notch 4-6 will engage with notch 36 of member 25), eachnotch being formed to have a width equal to the thickness of the othermember, thus interlocking members 2%? and 38 as best shown in FIGURES 1,2A, and 3A. It will be noted that screws 42, 42 are located atapproximately the midpoint of slots 44-, 4 3, respectively, when members24? and 38 are thus interlocked.

In operation, with the case assembled, the case may be arranged as shownin FIGURES 1, 2A, and 3A, if

not already so arranged, by first elevating member 38 to its maximumposition, then rotating both members 2% and 38 to positions such thattheir respective broadest cross-sectional dimensions lie in verticalplanes, as best shown in HGURES 2B and 3B, and thereafter loweringmember 38 until notches 46 and 36 interlock. The dimensions of theseveral parts of the case are selected to be such that each of the fouridentical compartments into which case 1% is thus divided by members 2%and 33 will have a cross section of such size and configuration as tosnugly receive a cardboard carton contai. -ng six beverage bottles of aparticular uniform diameter of a larger order, such as, for example,welve-ounce bottles of Pepsi-Cola. Even without the cardboard carton,each such compartment will satisfactorily accommodate six such bottlesWithout undue excess of space therebetween.

To adapt case it) to snugly receive in each compartment a cardboardcarton containing six beverage bottles or" a particular uniform diameterof a smaller order, such as, for example, six-ounce bottles ofCoca-Cola, member 38 is first elevated to its maximum upper position, asbest shown in FIGURES 2B and 3B. Membars 2% and 38 are then each rotatedto positions such that their respective broadest cross-sectional dientions lie in horizontal planes, as best shown in FIGURES 2C and 3C. Torotate member 2%"), the member is first slightly translated axiallyagainst spring 28 so as to be disengaged from the vertical arms ofrecess 32 and free to rotate, then, while in such axially displacedposition, rotated until'its broadest cross-sectional dimension lies in ahorizontal plane, and therea ter allowed to be translated by said springso as to become engaged within the horizontal arms of recess 32. Member38 is then lowered until its lower broad side rests atop the upper broadside of member 29, as best shown in FIGURES 4, 2D and 31). It will benoted that notch 46 will then rest atop the upper broad side of member2%, and notch 36 is disposed below the lower broad side of member 38, inwhich positions the notches will not contact, catch or interfere withcartons or bottles disposed within case it). The horizontal position ofmember 38 atop member 24) provides sufficient stability so that lockmeans, such as is provided by the interlocking of notches 3d and 46 whencase it is arranged as shown in FIGURE 1, is not required to preventaccidental rotation of member 38. The width of members 29 and 38 isselected to be such that each of the four identical rectangularcompartments into which case iii is thus divided by the members 2%] and38 has a cross section of such dimensions as to snugly receive acardboard carton containing six beverage bottles or" a particularuniform smaller order, such as, for example, six-ounce bottles ofCoca-(Zola. Even without the use of such a carton, each compartment willsatisfactorily accommodate six such bottles without undue excess ofspace therebetween.

The case can thus be disposed to carry 24 bottles having uniformdiameters of a higher order, such as conventional twelve-ounce bottlesof Pepsi-Cola, whether or not such be contained within cardboard cartonsin lots of six, or, alternatively, 24 bottles having uniform diametersof a lower order, such as conventional six-ounce bottles of Coca-Cola,either set of 24 bottles being retained within the four compartments bythe cross members with sufficient snugness to avoid undue rattling,slippage, or breakage.

It should be noted, however, that member 2%? or member 33 or both may bepositioned, respectively, between opposing ends 16, In and sides 14, 14,at points other than near the midpoint thereof, to divide case it intofour compartments of non-identical size. Further, member 263 or member38 or both may be pivotally supported, respectively, upon non-centrallongitudinal axes, for a similar purpose. Thus the case may be dividedinto four compartments of non-identical configurations and dimensions,each having first crosssectional dii rensions and, alternatively, secondcross-sectional dimensions.

it is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown anddescribed is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and thatresort may be had to various changes in construction without departingfrom the scope of the invention or the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable case comprising, a receptable having a bottom and foursides, a first cross member of rectangular cross-section, the adjacentsides of which are of unequal breadth, rotatably supported between onepair of said sides, a second cross member of rectangular crosssection,the adjacent sides of which are of unequal breadth, rotatably supportedbetween the other pair of said sides transversely to said first crossmember, one or" said cross members being further arranged for slidingmovement above the other of said cross members and within a planeperpendicular to said bottom, said cross members dividing the interiorof said receptacle into a plurality of rectangular compartments havingfirst cross-sectional dimensions when one of said cross members isarranged with its crosssectional sides of least breadth parallel to saidbottom and, alternately, into an equal plurality of compartments havingsecond cross-sectional dimensions when said cross member is arrangedwith its cross-sectional sides of greatest breadth parallel to saidbottom, said cross members each being mutually restrained by the otheragainst rotation when said upper cross member rests upon said lowercross member.

2. An adjustable case comprising, a receptacle having a bottom and foursides, and a pair of mutually transverse cross members each ofrectangular cross section, the adjacent sides of each of which,respectively, are of unequal breadth, one or" said cross members beingpivotally supported upon its longitudinal axis between one opposing pairof said sides, the other of said cross members being pivotally supportedand vertically slideable upon its longitudinal axis above said firstcross member within guide means in the other opposing pair of saidsides, said cross embers dividing said receptacle into four rectangularcompartments each having a first length and width when said crossmembers are each arranged with their broadest cross-sectional dimensionsdisposed in vertical planes, and each having a second length and widthwhen said cross members are each arranged with their broadestcross-sectional dimensions disposed in horizontal planes, said uppercross member being restrained by said lower cross member againstrotation when said upper member is in contact with said lower member.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said cross members bears anotch therein adapted for engagement with such notched portion of theother cross member, to mutually restrain said cross members fromrotation.

4. The device of claim 2 having means for releasably engaging an end ofsaid lower cross-member with a supporting side of said case, to restrainsaid cross member against rotation.

5. The device of claim 2 having a plate connected to one side of saidreceptacle, said plate having a +-shaped recess therein adapted toreceive and releasably engage in either of two alternative positions theproximate end of said lower cross member, and spring means intermediatethe other end of said lower cross member and the opposite side of saidreceptacle to yieldingly urge said lower cross member axially into saidrecess, to releasably retain said lower cross member against rotationabout its longitudinal axis and, when said cross members are disposedwith their broad cross-sectional dimensions arranged horizontally andsaid upper cross member rests atop said lower cross member, to causesaid upper cross member to be restrained against rotation about itslongitudinal axis, and further having a rectangular notch formed in anarrow edge of each of said cross members, respectively, said notchesbeing adapted for mutual engagement when said cross members are disposedwith their broad cross-sectional dimensions arranged vertically, toreleasably rest ain said upper cross member from rotation about itslongitudinal axis.

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS899,924 Valerins Sept. 29, 1908 2,011,972 Johnson Aug. 20, 19352,702,647 Wesling Feb. 22, 1955

1. AN ADJUSTABLE CASE COMPRISING, A RECEPTABLE HAVING A BOTTOM AND FOURSIDES, A FIRST CROSS MEMBER OF RECTANGULAR CROSS-SECTION, THE ADJACENTSIDES OF WHICH ARE OF UNEQUAL BREADTH, ROTATABLY SUPPORTED BETWEEN ONEPAIR OF SAID SIDES, A SECOND CROSS MEMBER OF RECTANGULAR CROSSSECTION,THE ADJACENT SIDES OF WHICH ARE OF UNEQUAL BREADTH, ROTATABLY SUPPORTEDBETWEEN THE OTHER PAIR OF SAID SIDES TRANSVERSELY TO SAID FIRST CROSSMEMBER, ONE OF SAID CROSS MEMBERS BEING FURTHER ARRANGED FOR SLIDINGMOVEMENT ABOVE THE OTHER OF SAID CROSS MEMBERS AND WITHIN A PLANEPERPENDICULAR TO SAID BOTTOM, SAID CROSS MEMBERS DIVIDING THE INTERIOROF SAID RECEPTACLE INTO A PLURALITY OF RECTANGULAR COMPARTMENTS HAVINGFIRST CROSS-SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS WHEN ONE OF SAID CROSS MEMBERS ISARRANGED WITH ITS CROSSSECTIONAL SIDES OF LEAST BREADTH PARALLEL TO SAIDBOTTOM AND, ALTERNATELY, INTO AN EQUAL PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS HAVINGSECOND CROSS-SECTIONAL DIMENSIONS WHEN SAID CROSS MEMBER IS ARRANGEDWITH ITS CROSS-SECTIONAL SIDES OF GREATEST BREADTH PARALLEL TO SAIDBOTTOM, SAID CROSS MEMBERS EACH BEING MUTUALLY RESTRAINED BY THE OTHERAGAINST ROTATION WHEN SAID UPPER CROSS MEMBER RESTS UPON SAID LOWERCROSS MEMBER.